Did I pick good dates?? First time Disney Trip!

[Allensfan]

I posted my dates on the Dining boards but I have never been to this board before.

I am taking my son and hubby Sept 10th through the 16th. My husband was so worried about crowds. We know it is par for the course with Disney, but we also researched the lowest crowd time, and these appeared to be good dates I have also heard that the end of Sept can be busy, but not the first fews weeks. But heck, what do I know? But only true Disney travelers know what I should expect.

I figured I was in good shape until the free dining came along, now my poor dh is concerned again.

So please let me know what it will be like.

Thanks!!

 

[maddhatir]

I have been to disney 10 times--- this SEPT will be our 11th trip (sept 16/24) and our first sept. i also researched the crowd levels (used tour guide mike and some other info) and found sept to be the best time- for crowds anyway-- i hear it rains and possible hurricanes, but i can deal with that, just throw on my poncho and march on!...just cant deal with the crowds!

from what i have been reading on the boards from others who have gone during free dining last year, the crowds still dont seem to be a problem. i am just reading the restaurants are crowded-- but if you have your ADRs- you will still get a table- therefore i am not concerned with that.

DH and i have been to disney in oct several times and it USED to be great- low crowds and the weather was perfect- however, Oct started getting crowded--- we also went a few times in the beginning of Dec and it was nice--but then over the years with the big deal over the christmas decorations-- that also has gotten a bit more crowded- not too bad for most- but personally i THOUGHT it was more crowded than what i was used to.

so now we will try sept and see what happens.....but to answer your question-- i think you chose a good time- even with the free dining!

 

[PRINCESSMOMX3]

We usually go the week of Labor Day. This is just what I have expierenced.... Labor Day itself can be pretty crowded, but the rest of the week was easy sailing. The most we waited for any ride was 10-15 minutes. I was able to get off of The Tower of Terror and get back on. No lines..........Same with Rockin Roller Coaster.........Maybe there was something going on somewhere else and that is why there were no lines that day not sure. We won't go anyother time.

 

[jaycns]

September rules at Disney World!! **don't tell anybody** Seriously though, we have been every one of the past six Septembers and we have loved it. We home school our kids so the off season is our vacation season!

If you use a touring plan (I know some don't like them at all and would rather wing it...which is fine...to each his own) with the low numbers you will end up REALLY being happy you did. It's great to walk into Epcot and as they drop the ropes to be told "You will have EPCOT to yourselves today! We expect this to be one of the lowest attendance days of the year". For our family, low attendance time of year combined with the low attendance park for that day makes for a GREAT vacation! We love avoiding crowds (not that you still don't find a lot of people on any given day at any given Disney park BUT...we love being one of many on one of the slowest days of the year vs. one of the many any other time of the year period.

The dates you have picked sound great! September as a whole is a good time to go. If you don't mind the heat and humidity (we don't), if you can pull your child out of school when it is just starting up (not a concern when you set the school calander), if you don't mind the earlier closing times during the "off season" (not a big deal since you can get so much more done during the day without having to fight "in season" crowds), if you don't mind that some rides will be closed for refirbishment (not a big deal, if we miss it one year, it will be open the next year), you don't mind LOTS of afternoon showers (really it will pour for a short while and then the sun will be back and the parks will be even less crowded), you don't mind that it is hurricane season (we are flexible with our plans because of that fact) and you can wait out the summer knowing your turn for vacation is just around the corner! Then two thumbs up...September is a GREAT time to visit WDW!

We will be joining you on 9/16 and staying until 9/23...at which point we depart for our second Disney Cruise!!

ONE WARNING!! Please remember to book your sit down dinners (aka in Disney speak "table service meals"). With the free dining it will be a lot less easy to just "dine on the fly". If you have a general idea about what some "must eat" resturants are for your family, book them now and then you won't have to be disappointed later!

 

[slug]

We went 2 Septembers ago, the week after Labor Day. We waited in line once during a 5 day trip. It was unbelievable. We were able to accomplish in 5 days what we would have needed 7 days to do during a peak time like school vacation.

 

[Allensfan]

I am feeling better already. Thanks guys

I have booked ALL of my dining. I actually booked it weeks ago, right at the 180 day mark. I had already paid for the dining plan so I had already planned my meals out.

San Angel Inn
Mitouskui (I know I spelled that wrong)
Chef Mickey
Victoria and Albert's (not on the dining plan)
coral reef
California Grill

Staying at AKL with a view of the critters. We are very excited.

 

[justplaingoofy]

LOVE SEPTEMBER

This will be our 3rd Sept... most rides you can walk on or have a very small wait....

 

[byoung]

Low crowds but Hot and humid.

 

[Tinkerbellmom33]

I was just going to say the same thing! It's still hot, but crowds and wait times are little to none. Enjoy!!

 

[rhiansmom]

Going 9/5 to 9/12 and just making my ADR's now... have been able to get everything I want!